GMS Contents


ADB Supports Construction of Sustainable Transport Links to U-Tapao Airport in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Thailand signed the Climate-Resilient Connectivity for the Eastern Economic Corridor Project: The Intercity Motorway No. 7 on 6 June 2025. The $68.74 million loan agreement will provide a sustainable land transport network to the U-Tapao Airport in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The EEC is a manufacturing and innovation hub in eastern Thailand supported by multimodal transport links, including rail, road, and air transport.  


Single Container, Single Vehicle Entry from PRC to Viet Nam under the GMS CBTA

Trucks from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) traveled directly to Ha Noi, Viet Nam, under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA). The trucks departed simultaneously from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) and Yunnan on 14 May 2025. A ceremony at the Long Bien Inland Container Depot Logistics Center in Ha Noi was held on 15 May 2025 to officially inaugurate two key transport routes from PRC to Viet Nam.


Longbang Border Crossing becomes Gateway for Thai Fruit Exports to PRC

The Longbang border crossing in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), connected to the Tra Linh border gate in Cao Bang, Viet Nam, has become the sixth land port in GZAR for transshipment of Thai fruits. This milestone was solidified in May 2025 with the export of six containers of durian from Thailand totaling 96 metric tons.


Kampot International Tourism Port Boosts Tourism 

Cambodia’s Kampot International Tourism Port, inaugurated on 21 April 2025, positions Kampot as a competitive tourism hub, providing Southern Cambodia with links to Thailand, Viet Nam, and the country's own island destinations. Spanning four hectares in Tuek Chou district, the port was financed by a $10 million loan provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth, with additional funding by the Government of Cambodia.



5th Energy Transition Task Force Meeting

The 5th Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Energy Transition Task Force (ETTF-5) was convened virtually on 11 June 2025 by the China Southern Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co., Ltd.  (CSG), with support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) serving as the ETTF Secretariat. ETTF-5 was followed by a face-to-face preliminary meeting of the ETTF on 2 June on the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Forum at the ADB headquarters in Manila.



Pre-ETTF Meeting

2 June 2025, Manila

The meeting welcomed the ETTF members and the 2025 ETTF Chair (China) who were scheduled to attend the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 during the week. Discussions gathered feedback on the draft 2025 ETTF Workplan, shared update on the Lao-Thailand Cambodia power interconnections study, and discussed preparations for the ensuing BIMP EAGA and GMS meeting on the ASEAN Power Grid and the 5th ETTF meeting on 11 June 2025. The meeting brought together 31 onsite and online participants.


First Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Task Force on Gender

The First Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Task Force on Gender convened virtually on 5 June 2025, organized by the GMS Program Secretariat. Mr. Asadullah Sumbal of the GMS Secretariat delivered opening remarks on behalf of Mr. Alfredo Perdiguero, Head of the GMS Secretariat, underscoring the GMS Program’s strong commitment to advancing gender equality and social inclusion as core elements of regional cooperation.


First Meeting of GMS Working Group on Trade and Investment and Workshop on Model Law of Electronic Transferable Records

The workshop on the Model Law of Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) and the First Meeting of GMS Working Group on Trade and Investment were held on 28-29 May 2025 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The workshop provided GMS government officials with core principles and business impacts of the MLETR.


Third Mekong Dialogue on Labor Mobility

On 29 May 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MOLSW) of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) hosted the Third Mekong Dialogue on Labor Mobility in Luang Prabang City, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). His Excellency Phongsaysack Inthalath, Deputy Minister of MOLSW, Lao PDR, emphasized in his keynote address that putting a primer on migration initiatives leads to dignity and opportunity for all.


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